Smilagenin (SMI) is a lipid-soluble small-molecule steroidal sapogenin from Rhizoma anemarrhenae and Radix asparagi widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for treating chronic neurodegeneration diseases^[1]. Smilagenin (SMI) improves memory of aged rats by increasing the muscarinic receptor subtype 1 (M1)-receptor density^[2]. Smilagenin (SMI) attenuates Aβ(25-35)-induced neurodegenerationvia stimulating the gene expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, may represents a novel therapeutic strategy for AD^[3]. In Vitro: Smilagenin (10 μM; 24 hours) increases SH-SY5Y cell survival compared with Aβ(25-35) intoxicated cells^[3].
Smilagenin (10 μM; 24 hours) increases neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA level by promoting CREB phosphorylation in 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridimium (MPP⁺) treated SH-SY5Y cells^[2]. In Vivo: Smilagenin (intragastric administration; 10 or 26 mg/kg, once daily; 60 days) prevents the impairment of dopaminergic neurons in chronic MPTP/probenecid-induced mouse model^[2].